The Corvette by Richard Woodman

o’ war to convoy us . . .’
    â€˜Bloody London jacks-in-office . . .’
    â€˜The festering lot of ’em should be strung up!’
    â€˜Do they think that we’re fools, Captain?’ roared the bearded captain, ‘that we cannot see they wish to delay us only to take the men out of our ships to man the fleet now that war has broken out again.’
    â€˜Gentlemen!’ Drinkwater stood and faced them. ‘Gentlemen! Will you be silent God damn you!’ He was angry now. It was quite likely that all they said was true. There might yet be a frigate cruising off the Spurn to relieve the Hull whale-fleet of ‘surplus men’, pleading the excuse that they could recruit replacements in Shetland or Orkney as they were entitled to. Drinkwater would not have been at all surprised if the authorities had it in mind, but at least his presence made it more difficult if he refused to co-operate . . . ‘Gentlemen . . .’
    â€˜Friends!’ The mellow roar of Sawyers beside him seemed to carry some authority over the angry Greenlanders and they eventually subsided. ‘Let us hear what Captain Drinkwater has to say. He has come hither at our request. Please continue, Captain.’
    â€˜I have been to the Custom House this morning . . .’
    â€˜We do not want you or your damned government orders,’ said the bearded Ellerby again.
    â€˜Except in the matter of bounty, friend,’ put in the Quaker Sawyers quickly, which drew a hum of ‘Ayes’ and showed the first split in the assembly’s unanimity.
    â€˜
You
would sail alone, Jemmett, but I could not risk an encounter with a cruiser off the Spurn. Men have been reluctant to sail this year for fear of the press. Let us see what Captain Drinkwater says about the matter of his own complement.’
    Drinkwater looked at the new speaker. Dressed in brown drab he had a heavily pocked face with thin lips and snub nose which was, despite its inherent ugliness, possessed of a certain charm, enhanced by the kindness of the eyes. He caught Drinkwater’s glance and bowed from his seat.
    â€˜Jaybez Harvey, Captain, master of the
Narwhal
.’ He smiled. ‘Your colleagues are too eager to press our men and pay scant regard to any exemptions . . .’
    Drinkwater nodded and felt the need to exonerate his service. ‘There is a war . . .’
    â€˜If there was no wars, Captain, thou knowest there woulds’t be no navies to press innocent and God-fearing men from their unfortunate wives and children,’ reproved the Quaker Sawyers.
    â€˜This endless debate shows no sign of ending, Captain Drinkwater. Will you tell us, when you propose to sail?’ A tall man dressed in a sky-blue uniform elaborately trimmed with fur rose from his place. A similarly dressed colleague joined him and the two officers picked up lavishly trimmed hats and made for the door.
    â€˜Commander Malim and myself will await your instructions at the White Hart. Perhaps you will oblige us with your company at dinner, Captain.’
    â€˜And where are your ships, sir?’ asked Drinkwater sharply, aware that the two officers, commanders of two vessels belonging to the Hudson’s Bay Company, threatened to break the meeting up.
    â€˜Off Killingholme where they have been at a short scope this past sennight.’
    Drinkwater restrained them from leaving as a babble of talk engulfed the whale-captains round the table.
    â€˜Be silent!’ he bawled, ‘may I suffer you to be silent for a moment!’ Eventually the noise diminished.
    â€˜This morning I visited the Custom House and authorised the release of your clearances.’ He paused as this revelation found its mark. At last the Greenlanders fell silent. He turned to the pock-marked Harvey.
    â€˜Do I understand that it is customary to embark additional men at Shetland whether or not men are